dilatory

[/ˈdɪlətɔːri/ or /ˈdɪləˌtɔri/]
adjective
dilatório
1. intended to cause or characterized by delay; tending to postpone or procrastinate
The defendant used dilatory tactics to postpone the trial.
O réu usou táticas dilató­rias para adiar o julgamento.
2. slow to act; sluggish or tardy in performance
His dilatory approach to solving the problem frustrated his team.
Sua abordagem dilató­ria para resolver o problema frustrou sua equipe.
3. relating to or causing delay in legal proceedings
The court rejected the dilatory motion filed by the lawyer.
O tribunal rejeitou a moção dilató­ria apresentada pelo advogado.
The term 'dilatory' is primarily used in legal and formal business contexts in both American English and Brazilian Portuguese. In legal practice, 'dilatory tactics' refer to strategies employed to delay court proceedings, which are often frowned upon by judges. The term is less common in everyday conversation and is predominantly found in legal documents, academic writing, and formal business discourse.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
procrastinatingdelayingslowsluggishtardypostponingstalling
Antonyms / Antônimos
promptexpeditiousswiftquickimmediatespeedy

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
dilató­rio
Standard term used in legal and formal contexts
General Brazilian
atrasador
Informal alternative meaning delaying or causing delays
Portugal
dilató­rio
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; formal legal term
Portugal
moroso
Alternative term meaning slow or sluggish

Related Words

dilatedilationdelayprocrastinationtardinessobstruction

Related Idioms & Phrases

dilatory tactics (táticas dilató­rias) - legal maneuvering to delay proceedings
dilatory motion (moção dilató­ria) - legal petition intended to postpone action
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